Superfood cafe Grain and Berry is set to open in Harbor Point early next year. Photo courtesy of Beatty Development.

From spooky treats to culinary feats, this week is shaping up to be a fun one for food lovers in Baltimore. Here’s a look at what’s on tap:

Openings & announcements

Grain and Berry, a Florida-based café, is opening its first Maryland outpost. The café will open in Harbor Point, with a tentative opening date of early 2026.

Speaking of Harbor Point, La Jetée Matin – La Jeteé’s coffee shop – is now open for business.

Mama’s on the Half Shell has launched a nationwide shipping program (alongside its local catering). The menu includes classics like crab cakes and crab soups, which make great gifts for Marylanders who are far from home.

Blacktoberfest

On Saturday, Oct. 25, Black-owned breweries are joining together for Blacktoberfest, a fall festival featuring craft beers, food, music and more. The party takes place at Harborplace, starting at 1 p.m.

Halloween fun

Halloween proper isn’t until Friday, but the spooky celebrations start this weekend.

On Saturday, The Valley Inn hosts a family-friendly Boo Brunch with tons of kid-friendly activities and games, plus live music and trick or treating.

Also on Saturday, The Choptank welcomes costumed pups for a cute doggy costume party.

On Saturday and Sunday, Nepenthe Brewing Company is throwing a two-day party featuring Halloween-themed food, candy, horror movies, prizes and more.

Sunday, Kooper’s Tavern hosts a Boo Brunch with lots of specials plus pumpkin decorating and on the 31st, Kooper’s and Slainte are teaming up for a trick-or-treat Halloween party with specials and free meals for kids.

Johnny’s spooky drinks and desserts – like the Ectoplasm Sundae – are available through the rest of the month.

All week long, Sally O’s has Halloween-themed drinks and food specials.

On Halloween itself, Ekiben is celebrating Baoloween – if you wear a costume, you’ll get a deal – $5 buns and $8 bowls.

Motte is hosting a Halloween Latin Dance Party, complete with a costume contest and an intriguing lineup of themed cocktails.

Ryes Up Against Cystic Fibrosis

On Sunday, the Baltimore Bartenders’ Guild hosts its annual fundraiser benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Maryland. Ryes Up, now in its fourteenth year, features tons of food and drinks – and a rye-focused cocktail competition between some of the city’s best bartenders.

Brewery cooking classes

This week is a good one for beer lovers who are interested in learning new culinary skills.

On Friday, Oct. 24, Chef Malik will pop up at Guilford Hall Brewery for an introductory sushi-making class.

Guilford Hall is also the location of a Sunday afternoon dumpling-making class.

And also on Sunday, Monument City Brewing hosts Sip & Sourdough – a workshop with an emphasis on sourdough focaccia.

Planning for the future

Mark your calendars for:

November 1-2: Oysterfest at Ryleigh’s

November 13: Piedmont Wine Dinner at Hersh’s

November 20: Catoctin Creek Dinner at Silver Queen Café

Kit Waskom Pollard is a Baltimore Fishbowl contributing writer. She writes Hot Plate every Friday in the Baltimore Fishbowl.